Pioneer Library System Foundation:Sets New Mission, Elects Officers

Effective Jan. 1, 2016, Pioneer Library System Foundation’s new mission is supporting literacy and a love of learning throughout Pioneer Library System communities.

(Norman, OK) – After a year of self-study, surveys and focus groups, the Pioneer Library System Foundation voted on December 9 to adopt a new mission and logo, along with a new set of fundraising initiatives and a new beliefs statement.

“Last year at this time we determined, that after five years of increased growth, operation, friend raising and creating public awareness, we needed to find our reason to exist, our ‘why’ if you will,” said Jeff Miles,PLSF President. “Literacy emerged as the common denominator of our focus groups with library staff, management and Friends of the Library representatives. We are pleased to have this concentrated focus as we elevate our fundraising efforts in 2016.”

The Pioneer Library System is a three-county network of 11 hometown branch libraries in central Oklahoma serving Cleveland, McClain and Pottawatomie counties. The basic operations of the library branches – buildings and maintenance – are supported by local city governments. Essential staff, purchasing of books and materials, technology and system services are supported by the Pioneer Library System, which is funded by county ad valorem tax.

The Pioneer Library System Foundation secures private donor money and larger grants to assist with programs and services throughout the entire system creating opportunities to access knowledge and generating equality, strengthening communities both now and for the future. Funds raised by the Foundation do not replace governmental support and are stewarded according to the Donor Bill of Rights and the Code of Ethics written by the Association of Fundraising Professionals.

The Friends of the Library groups are membership groups supporting individual branches within their local communities. The Friends groups and the Foundation are registered 501(c)3 nonprofits and operate independently of one another.

Officers elected to serve the Pioneer Library System Foundation in 2016 include: President, Jeff Miles of Moore, vice president and director of Banking Center Operations for Republic Bank – Vice-President, Barbara Lawson of Wayne and owner, Lawson Enterprises – Secretary, Anne Hammond of Shawnee and retired professor of public relations, Oklahoma Baptist University – Treasurer, Jim Bowers of Oklahoma City and owner of Bowers Construction.